CN111493817B

CN111493817B - Ductile flexible sensing device

Info

Publication number: CN111493817B
Application number: CN202010047110.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周冠谦; 苏文彬
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2020-01-16
Publication date: 2023-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-16
Also published as: US20200249197A1; CN111493817A

Abstract

The invention relates to a ductile flexible sensing device which comprises a first elastic film, a first strain sensor and a processing unit. The first elastic film has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of electrode contacts. The first surface and the second surface are arranged oppositely, the electrode contacts are positioned on the first surface, and one of the electrode contacts is a grounding terminal. The first strain sensor is arranged on the first surface of the first elastic film by printing technology and is electrically connected with the electrode contacts respectively. The processing unit is electrically connected with the electrode contacts. The processing unit is used for processing according to a stretching resistance value of the first strain sensor. The ductile flexible sensing device of the invention can be combined with articles such as clothes or insoles which can contact the skin of a human body, so as to sense the pressure or measure the physiological state of the human body.

Description

Ductile flexible sensing device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to sensing devices, and more particularly to malleable flexible sensing devices for physiological condition measurement.

Background

Physiological state monitoring is one of the technologies actively developed in recent years, and after being combined with a wearable device, the physiological state monitoring is gradually applied to the general life of human beings from early heart rate measurement to measurement of blood pressure, blood oxygen and the like, so that the purposes of early detection and early treatment are achieved through real-time monitoring.

However, the wearable physiological status monitoring device generally obtains the required data by using the light source as a measurement basis. Such monitoring devices have a robust housing and therefore are typically only configured as a bracelet or collar for wearing on the user. As such, many applications are limited.

Therefore, providing a flexible sensing device that can provide a user with a better wearing experience to expand the application range is one of the important issues.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a malleable flexible sensing device that can be easily combined with clothing or insoles and that can reduce the feeling of foreign matter on the user during use.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ductile flexible sensing device, which includes a first elastic film, a first strain sensor, and a processing unit. The first elastic film has a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of electrode contacts. The first surface and the second surface are disposed opposite to each other, and the electrode contacts are disposed on the first surface, and one of the electrode contacts is a ground terminal (grounding). The first strain sensor is disposed on the first surface of the first elastic film by printing technology and is electrically connected to the electrode contacts respectively. The processing unit is electrically connected with the electrode contacts. The processing unit performs an operation according to a stretch resistance value (stretch resistance) of the first strain sensor.

In one embodiment, the flexible sensing device further includes a second elastic film and an electromagnetic interference prevention component. The second elastic film is provided with a third surface and a fourth surface which are oppositely arranged, and the fourth surface is jointed with the first surface of the first elastic film. The electromagnetic interference prevention and control component is arranged on the third surface of the second elastic film and covers the relative position of the first strain sensor. In addition, the electromagnetic interference prevention and control component is electrically connected with the grounding end of the first elastic film.

In one embodiment, the first elastic film and the second elastic film may be bonded by a liquid glue or a solid glue, or may be directly bonded by hot pressing.

In an embodiment, the flexible sensing device further includes a flexible circuit board connected between the first elastic film and the second elastic film for establishing an electrical path between the electromagnetic interference preventing component and the ground terminal.

In one embodiment, the flexible sensing device further comprises a protective film bonded to the third surface of the second elastic film.

In one embodiment, the protective film and the second elastic film are bonded by liquid glue or solid glue, or directly bonded by hot pressing.

In one embodiment, the first elastic film includes a first sub-substrate and a second sub-substrate stacked together. The first strain sensor is arranged on the first sub-substrate, and the melting point of the first sub-substrate is higher than that of the second sub-substrate.

In an embodiment, the flexible sensing device further includes a second strain sensor disposed on the second sub-substrate between the first sub-substrate and the second sub-substrate by printing technology. The first strain sensor and the second strain sensor are arranged in a linear manner respectively, and can also form a net shape.

In an embodiment, the first strain sensors are arranged in a linear manner, and one end of each linear first strain sensor is electrically connected to the grounding end of the electrode contacts.

In an embodiment, the flexible sensing device further includes a fixing component, which corresponds to the electrode contacts and is disposed through the flexible circuit board to fix the processing unit so as to electrically connect the processing unit with the electrode contacts. The fixing component is, for example, a rubber Ring (O-Ring), and the processing unit is fixed in the rubber Ring.

In one embodiment, the material of the first strain sensor is selected from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE), carbon nanotubes (carbon nanotubes), graphene (graphene ink) or silver nano-paste (silver ink).

In one embodiment, the first strain sensor includes a pull-resistance element.

The beneficial effects of the invention are as follows:

in summary, the flexible sensing device with ductility disclosed in the present invention uses a strain sensor capable of generating a change in tensile resistance as a main sensing component, and the strain sensor is disposed on an elastic film by printing technology, so that the sensing device is flexible and has properties of being flexible and ductile. Accordingly, the ductile flexible sensing device of the present invention may be coupled to an object such as clothing or insoles that can contact the skin of a human body to perform pressure sensing or physiological state measurement on the human body.

Drawings

The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings and the detailed description.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a malleable flexible sensing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the malleable flexible sensing device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating a layout of a pull-resistance component of a first strain sensor;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a first elastic film composed of a composite material;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a malleable flexible sensing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a second strain sensor disposed between a first sub-substrate and a second sub-substrate of a first elastic film.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 10a flexible sensing device

11. First elastic film

11a first base material

11b second base material

111. A first surface

112. A second surface

113 a-113 b electrode contact

12. First strain sensor

121 121 a-121 h pull resistor assembly

122. Conducting wire

13. Second elastic film

131. Third surface

132. Fourth surface

14. Electromagnetic interference prevention and control assembly

141. Conducting wire

142. Electrical contact

15. Flexible circuit board

151. Perforating the hole

152. Conducting wire

153. Electrical contact

16. Fixing assembly

17. Processing unit

18. Protective film

181. Perforating the hole

19. Second strain sensor

The pull-up components 191 a-191 c.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, but the present invention may be practiced in other ways other than those described herein, and persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a ductile flexible sensor device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a first elastic film 11, a first strain sensor 12, a second elastic film 13, an electromagnetic interference prevention component 14, a flexible circuit board 15, a fixing component 16, a processing unit 17, and a protection film 18.

The first elastic film 11 has a first surface 111, a second surface 112, and two electrode contacts 113 a-113 b. The first surface 111 and the second surface 112 are disposed opposite to each other in a back-to-back direction. The electrode contacts 113 a-113 b are disposed on the first surface 111, wherein the electrode contact 113b is a ground terminal. In this embodiment, the material of the first elastic film 11 may be thermoplastic polyurethane (Thermoplastic polyurethanes, TPU).

The first strain sensor 12 has a pull resistor (121) and a conductive wire 122 electrically connected to each other, which can be conveniently disposed on the first surface 111 of the first elastic film 11 by a printing technology and electrically connected to the electrode contacts 113 a-113 b, respectively. The two ends of the pull-resistor assembly 121 are electrically connected to the electrode contacts 113 a-113 b through the wires 122. Note that the pull-resistance element 121 is an element that generates a change in current or voltage when it is deformed by stretching, and its material includes, but is not limited to, polyvinylidene fluoride, fluorinated trifluoroethylene, carbon nanotubes, graphene, or nano silver paste.

It should be noted that the first strain sensor 12 is disposed on the first elastic film 11 in a substantially linear arrangement, and further, the pull-resistance element 121 is substantially linear. In addition, referring to fig. 3A again, the first strain sensor 12 may have a plurality of pull-resistance elements 121 a-121 d arranged in a substantially cross-shaped configuration, and one end of each of the pull-resistance elements 121 a-121 d is electrically connected to the electrode contact 113b as a ground terminal. As shown in FIG. 3B, the plurality of pull resistors 121 a-121 h may also be arranged in a substantially "rice" shape. The pull resistance component mainly changes the resistance value according to the stretching deformation, so as to change the voltage and the current, so that the arrangement of the pull resistance component can be designed according to the main deformation direction of the measuring object.

The second elastic film 13 has a third surface 131 and a fourth surface 132 disposed opposite to each other. The second elastic film 13 is bonded to the first surface 111 of the first elastic film 11 through the fourth surface 132, so that the first strain sensor 12 is coated on the first elastic film 11 and the second elastic film 13. In this embodiment, the first elastic film 11 and the second elastic film 13 may be bonded by hot pressing (hot press), and in other embodiments, may be bonded by liquid glue or solid glue.

The electromagnetic interference prevention and control component 14 is disposed on the third surface 131 of the second elastic film 13, and is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the first elastic film 11 through the conductive wire 141 and the electrical contact 142. Further, the position of the electromagnetic interference preventing and controlling component 14 on the second elastic film 13 corresponds to the relative position of the first strain sensor 12, and the arrangement range of the pull-resistance component 121 is covered. In addition, the electromagnetic interference prevention component 14 may be conveniently disposed on the third surface 131 of the second elastic film 13 by printing technology.

The flexible circuit board 15 has an opening 151, a conductive wire 152 and an electrical contact 153. The flexible circuit board 15 is connected between the first elastic film 11 and the second elastic film 12 for establishing a conductive path between the electromagnetic interference prevention and control component 14 and the electrode contact 113b as a ground terminal. The electrical contacts 153 may be electrically contacted with the electrical contacts 142 of the electromagnetic interference prevention component 14. In addition, the position of the opening 151 corresponds to the electrode contacts 113a to 113b.

The fixing component 16 is disposed in the opening 151 of the flexible circuit board 15 and penetrates through the flexible circuit board 15. The fixing element 16 may be made of a resilient material, such as a rubber Ring (O-Ring), but may also be made of a material such as plastic, without limitation. In this embodiment, the inside surface of the securing member 16 may be threaded and may also have electrical contacts extending from the leads 152.

The processing unit 17 is fixedly disposed in the fixing component 16 and electrically connected to the electrode contacts 113 a-113 b. The processing unit 17 performs an operation according to a stretch resistance value (stretch resistance) generated by the stretch resistance component 121 of the first strain sensor 12. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 17 may perform measurement of physiological signals including, but not limited to, pressure sensing, electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG), and the like. Of course, the operation after sensing may be performed by the processing unit 17 after being uploaded by the cloud, and is not limited to the operation performed by the processing unit 17. It should be noted that the periphery of the processing unit 17 may also be threaded, corresponding to the threads of the fixing assembly 16, so as to be mutually combined. Even by proper structural design, there may be an electrically conductive function at the junction of the processing unit 17 and the fixing member 16.

The protective film 18 is bonded to the third surface 131 of the second elastic film 13 to cover the installation range of the electromagnetic interference preventing and controlling component 14. In addition, the protective film 18 has an opening 181 to expose the processing unit 17 after being bonded to the second elastic film 13. The protective film 18 and the second elastic film 13 may be directly bonded by hot pressing, or may be bonded by liquid glue or solid glue. In this embodiment, the material of the protective film 18 may be thermoplastic polyurethane or Ultraviolet (UV) resistant material, which is not limited herein.

It should be noted that the elastic film may also be made of a composite material, and referring to fig. 4, taking the first elastic film 11 as an example, it may be formed by stacking a first sub-substrate 11a and a second sub-substrate 11b through in-mold injection molding. The melting point of the first sub-substrate 11a is higher than that of the second sub-substrate 11b, and the second sub-substrate 11b having a lower melting point is suitable for the thermal compression bonding process. In this embodiment, the elastic film formed by the composite material can also be applied to the second elastic film 13 or the protective film 18, and the detailed description thereof is omitted herein because the implementation of the elastic film is the same as that described above.

Referring to fig. 5 again, the ductile flexible sensing device 10a according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the arrangement of the strain sensors, and the flexible sensing device 10a of the present embodiment further includes a second strain sensor 19.

As shown in fig. 5, the second strain sensor 19 is disposed on the second surface 112 of the first elastic film 11. In the present embodiment, the first strain sensor 12 has three pull resistance elements 121 a-121 c, and the second strain sensor 19 also has three pull resistance elements 191 a-191 c, whose relative relationship of layout positions is net-shaped in a plan view. One end of each of the pull-up resistor elements 121a to 121c, 191a to 191c is electrically connected to the electrode contact 113b as a ground terminal.

Although the first strain sensor 12 and the second strain sensor 19 each have three pull-resistance elements in the present embodiment, the number of pull-resistance elements can be adjusted according to practical requirements, and the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

As shown in fig. 6, the second strain sensor 19 may be disposed between the first sub-substrate 11a and the second sub-substrate 11b of the first elastic film 11, and the second strain sensor 19 may be protected by the second sub-substrate 11 b.

In summary, the flexible sensing device with ductility disclosed in the present invention uses a strain sensor capable of generating a change in tensile resistance as a main sensing component, and the strain sensor is disposed on an elastic film by printing technology, so that the sensing device is flexible and has properties of being flexible and ductile. Accordingly, the ductile flexible sensing device of the present invention can be coupled to an object capable of contacting the skin of a human body, such as clothing or insoles, by, for example, a thermal compression technique, to perform pressure sensing or physiological state measurement on the human body. In addition, by embedding a part of the processing unit in the elastic film, the flexible side device can be thinned, and the foreign body sensation of the wearer can be effectively reduced.

The ductile flexible sensing device of the invention, for example, combined with the insole, can obtain the static and dynamic foot pressure or muscle extension state of the wearer through the data measured by the strain sensor, so as to judge whether the wearer has relevant diseases.

It will be apparent that the described embodiments are only some, but not all, embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A malleable flexible sensing apparatus, comprising:

the first elastic film is provided with a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of electrode contacts, wherein the first surface and the second surface are oppositely arranged, the electrode contacts are arranged on the first surface by a printing technology, and one of the electrode contacts is a grounding end;

the first strain sensor is arranged on the first surface of the first elastic film by printing technology and is respectively and electrically connected with the electrode contacts;

a flexible circuit board connected to the first elastic film;

the processing unit is arranged on the flexible circuit board in a penetrating way, is in direct contact with the electrode contacts and is electrically connected, and processes according to a tensile resistance value of the first strain sensor;

the first elastic film comprises a first sub-substrate and a second sub-substrate which are overlapped, the first strain sensor is arranged on the first sub-substrate, and the melting point of the first sub-substrate is higher than that of the second sub-substrate;

the flexible sensing device is bonded to an object capable of contacting human skin by a thermocompression bonding technique.

2. The malleable, flexible sensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second elastic film having a third surface and a fourth surface disposed opposite to each other, and bonding the fourth surface to the first surface of the first elastic film; and

the electromagnetic interference prevention and control component is arranged on the third surface of the second elastic film by a printing technology, covers the relative position of the first strain sensor and is electrically connected with a grounding end of the first strain sensor.

3. The malleable, flexible sensing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

the flexible circuit board is connected between the first elastic film and the second elastic film and establishes an electrical path between the electromagnetic interference prevention and control component and the grounding terminal.

4. The malleable, flexible sensing apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

the fixing component corresponds to the electrode contacts and penetrates through the flexible circuit board to fix the processing unit so as to be electrically connected with the electrode contacts.

5. The ductile flexible sensing device of claim 4, wherein the securing member is a rubber ring in which the processing unit is secured.

6. The malleable flexible sensing apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

and a protective film bonded to the third surface of the second elastic film.

7. The ductile flexible sensing device of claim 1, wherein the first elastic film is formed by in-mold injection molding of the first sub-substrate and the second sub-substrate stacked together.

8. The malleable, flexible sensing apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a second strain sensor is disposed on the second sub-substrate between the first sub-substrate and the second sub-substrate by printing technology.

9. The ductile flexible sensor device of claim 8, wherein the first strain sensor and the second strain sensor are arranged in a line or in a net shape, respectively.

10. The ductile flexible sensor device of claim 1, wherein the first strain sensor is arranged in a line, and wherein one end of each line of the first strain sensor is electrically connected to the ground terminal of the electrode contacts.

11. The malleable flexible sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first strain sensor comprises a pull resistance component.